Mrs A Griffin and others v Virtuoso Doors — 2026

The tribunal upheld the collective consultation complaints brought by Mrs Andrea Louise Griffin and the other scheduled claimants against Virtuoso Doors Ltd (in administration). The claims were presented in Bristol on 14 March 2025. The respondent had not presented a valid response in time, and its administrators consented to the claims continuing. Employment Judge Jeram determined the complaints on the available material under rule 22 of the Rules of Procedure.

The tribunal found that, as at 18 December 2024, the respondent proposed to dismiss at least 20 employees as redundant within 90 days or less at Unit 13, Follingsby Close, Follingsby Park, Gateshead. The site was either an establishment itself or part of a unit constituting an establishment. The claimants were assigned to that site and could be affected by the proposed dismissals. No recognised independent trade union covered them, there were no employee representatives elected in accordance with section 188A(1), and the respondent had not invited affected employees to elect representatives.

The respondent failed to comply with section 188 and had not shown special circumstances making compliance not reasonably practicable. The claimants were entitled to bring the complaints, and each complaint was presented within the applicable three-month period, taking section 292A into account. There had been no consultation about the proposed dismissals and no mitigating circumstances. Having considered the seriousness of the default and the guidance in GMB v Susie Radin Ltd [2004] EWCA Civ 180, the tribunal found the maximum protected period of 90 days just and equitable.

The protective award required payment equivalent to remuneration for 90 days beginning on 18 December 2024 to the claimants employed at the site who were dismissed by reason of redundancy on that date. The judgment specified no monetary total and stated that the Recoupment Regulations applied. The hearing listed for 27 July 2026 was vacated.